Page 110 of Nash

“You’re aware that means other couples having sex, too?”

I huff a sarcastic laugh.Fuck my life; I can’t believe I’ve agreed to this.

Have I?

“Yes, Dr. Sex,” I answer, “I know what an orgy is.”

“So … that means otherwomenwill be there?”

I hear it in her voice. Suddenly, Vale sounds worried, almost jealous. I’d give her hell about it, but I won’t toy with her heart. Not about this. To her, I’ll always be faithful.

“Yes, the other queens will be there, and no, I won’t fuck them. I fulfilled my obligation. I’m a second king. That’s it, and never again. I’ll only be with you.”

“Phew.” Relief fills her sigh. “Fit of jealousy avoided.”

“What aboutmyjealousy?”

“Are you jealous? I mean …willyou be?”

“No, Vale. I’ll be perfectly fine with itafterI murder everyone.”

She giggles. “You’re cute when you’re sociopathic.”

“Yeah, I’m going to berealcute when someone touches you.”

“Is that the test?” she asks. “Others touching me?”

I’m about to crack my molars. “If you consent.”

“Only if you’re there. Only if you’re touching me, too.”

“Oh, I’ll be fucking you while I strangle necks, don’t worry.”

“Erotic asphyxiation is a big fetish for some.”

“The way I do it … it’s bigmurderfor all.”

“Nash,” she huffs, throwing her chin up. I catch it in my side-eye. “If you don’t want to make me your queen, then don’t. I’ve made it clear: I want to do it. From what I gather, it’s going to turn me on, but not if you’re suffering. That only limps my pickle and breaks my heart. I’ll always annoy the shit out of you, but I’ll never hurt you.”

This is the part changing my mind. The part willing to do this.

I love Vale. I love her goddamn mouth and gothic heart. I need her in my life forever, which means I need her protected, too.

Would my brothers still protect her if she weren’t my queen? Of course. They already have.

But I can’t look in the mirror and see a traitor staring back at me. I can’t reconcile what one of the brothers has done for me if I’m not willing to do the same.

This isn’t about sex. It’s about a sacred bond, an unbreakable vow. In most worlds, they’re easy to keep.

In ours, bonds can break when bullets fly. You need to trust your brother’s vow to protect the one you love, even if that means sacrificing himself.

That’s the oath.

We will die for a queen, any queen.

“I’ll find a way to accept it,” I tell her as I check the rear-view mirror, noting the same LED headlights two cars back.

“I don’t want your acceptance,” she says. “I want your happiness. If you can’t be happy about it, don’t do it.”

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